Chapter Text
Kylo Ren is dead…
The image of his father was no longer in front of him when he opens his eyes again, but he could still feel them, he always felt them within his heart.
Kylo Ren is dead…. He died the moment his lightsaber struck Han down. Or was he ever even real? Was he just an imagination that Snoke… no... Palpatine created? The torment he felt his whole life! The push and pull from the light and dark, the need to have to choose. And Palpatine made him believe the dark side was the more powerful, that the dark side was the one he had no choice but to choose. But something in him never allowed himself to completely give in. He could never actually become a sith. He had too much of his father in him, too much of his uncle in him, too much of his mother in him…
Kylo Ren is dead… the last of him died when Rey killed him with his own lightsaber. Who she saved and healed was Ben Solo.
The waves crashed violently, as violent as his tormented past. But that was in the past, let the past die… Maybe he couldn’t be forgiven but he could still do some good in his life. He used to have dreams of Darth Vader sacrificing himself for the light, of his grandfather Anakin, he had thought it was a test, the darkness testing him. Now he saw his path was clear. Han was right, Kylo Ren is dead but Ben Solo has never been so alive. He had let Palpatine torment him and ruin his family. Kylo Ren had been weak, but Ben Solo… Ben Solo was strong enough to do what he needed to do. He would not let the Emperor hurt Rey too. Maybe it was too late for him but it wasn’t too late for Rey. And just as a wave crashed and soaked him, he felt it… that resolve that Han helped him see. The love that he and his mother tried so desperately to reach him with, the love that he felt for…
‘You know what you have to do Ben, and you do have the strength to do it.’ His eyes widen as the strange and new... yet familiar voice that echoed within him.
Another wave crashed against the cliff but now it was beautiful, peaceful. Inhaling deeply as he turns to glance around, the ex-Supreme Leader stalks off to find a way off this planet, he needed to get to Rey before she faced Palpatine. He would not let her face him alone. Ben Solo, the last Skywalker would finish what Anakin started...
Just then he hears a familiar sound, glancing up, he sees it… The ship he spent years trying to forget, the ship that was once his home, the Falcon. His whole body seemed to tense and as much as he wanted to turn and go the opposite way he doesn’t. Ben walks towards the Falcon with a new kind of determination. He stops as the ramp comes down, his face hardening as he sees Chewie appear, and to his shock, Lando appears beside the tall Wookie.
“Need a lift?” The pilot grins softly.
Ben’s lower lip trembles as he looks at them both, they should both hate him, want him dead, want revenge for… He looks at Chewie and he can’t stop the tears that blur his vision. He opens his mouth to try and say anything, but nothing came out. And then suddenly Chewie was right in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder. And that is all it took, for him to lower his head as he lets out his tears in silence. The pain of not knowing how he could ever start to atone for his sins seemed so overwhelming until Chewie hugs him tightly. Ben let’s out a pained chuckle as he lets himself be enveloped in the bone-crushing hug. But he couldn’t shake the guilt, the paint he’s lived with since the day he killed his father. The nightmares, even the dreams of his father telling him over and over again that he is forgiven.
“I’m sorry… I… I don’t deserve your forgiveness, I never will. I’ll never deserve you back in my life but I do need help to save Rey.” He slowly pulls away. Chewie who was beside his father since he could remember, who helped raise him, comforted him when his parents fought, covered for him so he wouldn’t get scolded, who loved him just as much as Han had.
There were so many things to talk about, to apologize for but they didn’t have time.
Ben shakes his head when Chewie only hugs him again, telling him he’s suffered enough for what he’s done. Chewie then gently grabs Ben’s face as he speaks softly.
“Chewie is right, we’ve lost enough Skywalkers and friends, don’t let your family’s sacrifices go to waste, let’s go save your Jedi then. We’re on our way back from recruiting help, the rest of the backup will be following our coordinates.” Lando ushers them into the Falcon. And he was right there was no time to waste, so Ben tries to push back the nostalgia of being back in this ship. Being back home… The home he always wanted to live on and one day own, where he saw his father and Chewie live most happily, where his father taught him how to fly and how to repair, where Chewie taught him how to play Dejarik, where Lando taught him how to gamble and play cards, and his father only encouraged it, where he had wanted to spend his days growing up. Ben Solo follows them quickly into the Falcon and with their permission he goes into the cockpit.
“I know how to get to Exogol.”
“Then by all means.” Lando sits in the co-pilot seat.
Ben looks over at Chewie who nods. This shouldn’t be as difficult as it was. He never thought he’d be flying this piece of … he didn’t even let himself finish the sentence. There was no time for this!
Ben Solo sits down in the pilot’s seat of the Millenium Falcon and he’s home. This was home, a new wave of resolve washes over him, he’d pay for his sins eventually, but right now he’d enjoy being home and he’d focus on the most important thing in his life, saving his dyad in the Force. The one who helped Ben Solo find his voice again, she deserved to live a happy life even if he did not. He could still help save the day... Finally Ben Inhales deeply before quickly inputting the coordinates and sending them flying up into space.
‘Hold on Rey, I’m coming!’
-------
It’d be so easy to give in to her hatred, into her pain, not the pain she’s endured but the pain Ben, Han, Luke, and Leia have endured. Now she was facing Palpatine, the one responsible for her parents’ deaths. They sacrificed themselves so that he could not find her and kill her because she was a threat to him. For some reason, her power was a threat to him… If Ben Solo had stayed in the light he too would have been a threat. How many more people will suffer at the hands of the Emperor? No more! She will give her life if she must.
But did she stand a chance alone? She glanced up at the few Resistance ships above. She has led her friends to their doom as well. Tears blurred her vision and she hated it but she felt like giving up. She was exhausted but she knew she couldn’t just give up. Her friends, Luke, Han, and Leia believed in her, even Kylo Ren reminded her constantly of her power.
And then she feels it, a familiar silence and warm sensation spreading throughout her body. She wasn’t alone… and it was not Kylo Ren who has come to help her. Rey stands straight and faces the Emperor. “I’m never alone.” She pulls out Leia’s lightsaber with one hand, while the other hand, she has behind her back, and then the bond is opened, she feels Ben’s hand grab onto hers as he takes the lightsaber, she smiles softly and ignites hers, turning just in time to fight of the Emperor’s guards. She wasn’t even sure where they came from, but she had a newfound strength. He had come to help her. Ben Solo was here to help her! To save them! He had been her only hope for so long and just when she had given up hope, he shines brighter than ever.
---
Ben knew that he'd have his hands full when he saw the Knight Buzzard. His Knights of Ren were here, well they weren't his anymore. He slowly comes to a halt as the said Knights appear and surround him.
"I always knew Ben Solo was hiding under that mask, pathetic." Vicrul growled. "After all we've been through and all we've done for Kylo Ren."
Ben only gripped the blaster Lando gave him tightly in his hand. Betrayal, it felt odd to be the one doing the betraying. Ben was so used to people betraying him or using him.
"You were the best of us, Kylo, why go back to the light now? Do you really think they can accept you like we can?" Ren stepped forward. The Knights of Ren had been there for him, they weren't a close or fluffy lot but they had been there when he needed them and did what he had asked without question. Suddenly he's reminded of his departure from the Jedi temple.
"I have bigger things I need to take care of. You should all leave this place, for once just do whatever it is you want." Ben speaks calmly as he glances around at all of them.
"We are dark side users Kylo, unlike you who's always been conflicted with the light. There is nothing else but this, and the Emperor has promised us more power than you could ever dream of!" Vicrul snarled.
"Well alright then." Ben shakes his head and sighs shrugging his shoulders as he suddenly shoots at Ushar then at Trudgen. Both fall and the rest attack him. He feels light, faster than usual. Free from his cape and mask, from the darkness supressing him. But still his blaster and his wits are not enough against other force users.
Ren lands a good hit to his face, Vicrul takes advantage to kick him in the side. Ben stumbles and then stands straight when everything gets quiet... The warmth that starts in his chest then spreads was all too familiar now. He smirks and holds his hand behind him, feeling Rey's hand as she hands him the legacy lightsaber.
Igniting it, the dark area is then illuminated by the bright blue light. Ben holds his hands out, shrugging again at them as if saying was that all they got? It doesn't have to be this way but if they want it, he'll make them regret getting in his way.
They rush at him having made up their minds, and he is ready. The legacy lightsaber feels light and natural in his hand. His movements are faster, more fluid than Kylo Ren's, more precise and even more elegant. He feels free... His powers feel stronger than ever and he knows it's also because of how close he was to Rey.
Rey needs him.
He needed to end this fast! Spinning the blue lightsaber in his hand he stabs it through one of the Ren's chest then swings at the one that sneaks up from behind.
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Once Rey defeats them all she turns around to see him, Ben Solo walking towards her. And at that moment he was the most beautiful person she had ever seen. She could feel his force, so powerful and bright. She had thought Kylo Ren was strong, no Kylo Ren had been a child suppressing his true powers. Ben Solo, the last Skywalker was the most powerful person she’d ever meet. Rey smiles and he nods at her, then both turn to face Palpatine and raise their blue lightsabers in unison. Ben with the legacy lightsaber and Rey with Leia’s.
“Ah, the most powerful dyad the Force has ever seen. Through you, I will regain my power!” The emperor yelled as he shot his hands towards them. Rey gasped as she was suddenly frozen in place, she could feel her life force leaving her, she turns to see Ben in the same state. No…. She struggles against it but it was no use, Ben too seems to be trying to break free, her hand reaches towards his and she tries to catch his gaze, once she does, she looks down at her hand, within seconds she feels his hand grasp hers. Feeling his strength fill her was almost overwhelming but also freeing! Like this was how they were meant to feel the force, together! Using each other’s strength the dyad finally breaks free, panting and trying to regain themselves, they waste no time in putting their guard up again.
Rey glances at Ben one more time before charging forward, the Emperor jumps out of the way only to find Ben already inches away from bringing his lightsaber down upon them. He’s shoved back and Rey uses this chance to rush forward again, lightsaber over her head as she nears the Emperor, but then she feels Ben force push her back, just as force lightning is shot towards her. Rolling back towards Ben, she pants as she struggles to get up. Feeling Ben’s arm around her she leans into him as he helps her.
And they stand tall again, lightsabers ready, both drained of much of their life force but together they could still do this. Rey now realized that together they could do anything. The dyad rushes forward again only to be sent flying back by force lightning. She screams when Ben goes flying off a cliff, yelping in pain when she feels him through the bond hitting a rock and then nothing. She sees black and red as she rushes towards Palpatine only to be force pushed back harshly, that cackle would haunt her dreams. Rey’s vision goes white as she hits the ground and rolls a few feet, disoriented and in pain, she tries to focus her eyesight, she could feel the remainder of her life force leaving her, she could not do this without Ben... But then she feels it, Ben’s light, she could still feel it! Laying there staring up at the sky, seeing all the explosions of the battle above, she senses death all around. Darkness all around…
But she focuses on Ben’s light, ever so slight, but there.
“Be with me” She says softly.
“Be with me” She repeats.
“Be with me, Ben.”
“Ben, be with me!”
“You’re my only hope…”
----
A hand suddenly appears from the edge of the cliff. Ben Solo groans as he hauls himself up and crawls towards Rey. His forcemate who’s life force was growing weaker and weaker. He had felt her call, and not even death would stop him from saving her. She was his light, his hope, the ease of pain that was his life. His life of torture and pain but she made all of that go away. She saw him, really saw him and did not fear his power. And he saw her, for the beautiful powerful being she was. She was meant to do good in this galaxy, meant for greatness because of her heart and light. Finally making it to her side, he grips her hand tightly.
“I’m with you, Rey.” He pulls her into his lap. Rey tries to focus on him, tries to tell him to save his energy. But she can’t speak. She tries to protest as he places a hand on her and feels him giving up his already weaken life force to save her.
“As I said you’re coming together would be your undoing!” Emperor cackled as he finally approached them.
“I’m with you, Rey.” Ben ignores the incoming danger to whisper into Rey’s ear before his remaining life force could disappear. If he gave her his life force, she could defeat him. He places his hand on her again and she grips it tightly.
“And I am with you, Ben.”
“And we are with you both.”
“Rise Rey.”
“Rise Ben.”
“Rise!
“The Force is with you…”
“Always!”
“Ben.”
“Rey.”
“Rise!”
Anakin, Luke, Leia, Padmé, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Han, and so many other voices suddenly filled them, not only with force but with love and hope. They both slowly sat up as they felt the force stronger than ever within them. The dyad stood hand in hand, while their free hands shot out to their sides and called for their lightsabers.
“FOOLS!” The Emperor shot his force lightning at them both with much more intensity than before, both instinctively held the lightsabers up in defense, blocking the lightning.
“I AM ALL OF THE SITH, YOU CANNOT DEFEAT ME!”
The dyad gritted their teeth as they held the assault, and even pushed forward, letting the force powers of all those who came before them, all who loved them to fuel their light and power. And most of all the bond, they completely opened the bond to each other, at this moment they were one, their powers were one. The Force like this was stronger than ever!
“And we are….”
“ … all of the Jedi!”
And they pushed forward, crying out as they mustered all the force they could to send the lightening back towards the Emperor.
He screamed as it hit him full force and suddenly he crumbled down onto the ground as dust.
Rey and Ben both stumbled and fell.
…..
All was quiet for some time, both their bodies lifeless. Then the voices were heard again. Telling them to get up, that their story was not yet over.
Ben slowly comes to but when he turns his head to see Rey’s body lifeless beside him he sits up quickly. Grabbing her arm, he gently pulls her onto his lap.
“Rey, be with me. Come on Rey.” He hugs her body, panic filling him, he can’t lose her! He won’t he will give up all his life force for her to live instead he grabs her face, his lower lip trembling but then he feels her light. He lets out a low sigh in relief when he then feels her breathing, feels her heart slowly becoming more steady. Ben hugs her tightly once more before pulling back to look at her face just as her eyes open.
Rey quickly glances around and then grips Ben’s shoulders.
“Ben…” She smiles and gently touches his face. He had come to save her…. Her eyes sting with the sudden tears that threaten to spill over. Happily laughing she grabs his face and pulls him into a kiss.
A kiss he gladly leans into. A passionate yet gentle kiss, a kiss that allows them both to know exactly how they feel. How thankful they are to both be in each other’s arms at the moment.
“Rey, I told you didn’t I? You’re not alone, I’ll always be with you when you need me.”
“And I told you neither are you. I always need you, Ben.” Rey wraps her arms around his neck as she hugs him tightly, burying her face in his neck as he rubs her back soothingly.
“I’ll always be with you.” They repeat to each other and laugh. Ben is the one to kiss her this time, a bit hesitantly until he realizes she does indeed want him to kiss her. He smiles against her lips as she digs her fingers through his hair.
For once everything made sense. Rey was not alone, Ben finally knew who he was and there was balance in the Force.
They were the balance in the Force, a scavenger girl…. and the pilot prince of Alderaan.